US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has invoked the concept of the 'fog of war' to defend a controversial follow-up American military strike on a vessel alleged to be carrying narcotics in the Caribbean Sea earlier this year.
Defence Secretary's Justification for Lethal Action
Speaking at a White House cabinet meeting on Tuesday, 2 December 2025, alongside President Donald Trump, Hegseth addressed the incident which occurred in early September. He stated that after an initial strike, he 'didn't stick around' for the remainder of the mission.
Regarding the decision to launch a second strike, which reports suggest killed survivors in the water, Hegseth claimed he did not see any survivors at the time, remarking that 'the thing was on fire'. He defended the admiral in charge, saying he had 'made the right call' and acted within his complete authority.
The White House, commenting on Monday, stated that Navy Vice Admiral Frank 'Mitch' Bradley acted 'within his authority and the law' when he ordered the second strike, following a verbal order from Hegseth.
Pope's Plea and Trump's Stance on Venezuela
Hegseth's comments coincided with a direct appeal from Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, who urged President Trump not to seek the ousting of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro through military force.
Speaking to reporters while returning from visits to Turkey and Lebanon, the Pope suggested that dialogue or economic pressure would be preferable methods for Washington to pursue change in Venezuela, if that was its goal.
When questioned about his support for the September boat strike, President Trump responded that he 'didn't know anything' and relied on information from Secretary Hegseth.
Escalating Tensions and Regional Fallout
The Trump administration has long accused Maduro's socialist government of facilitating the illegal drug trade, a charge Maduro vehemently denies. In response to escalating US rhetoric, including Trump's warning last week that land strikes could start 'very soon', Maduro held a rally in Caracas.
He declared that Venezuelans were ready to defend their country, describing weeks of US aggression as 'psychological terrorism'. Venezuela condemns the boat attacks, which have killed more than 80 people, as murder and alleges Trump's true motive is regime change and access to Venezuelan oil.
US forces have conducted at least 21 strikes on vessels suspected of drug trafficking in recent months, marking a significant escalation in maritime operations in the region.
